Sullivan sizzles in opening match at Men's City Invitational

Larry Sullivan competes at the 38th Annual Pritchett-Moore Men’s City Invitational tennis tournament hosted at Indian Hills Country Club on Monday.

Michelle Lepianka Carter

By Manal YousifSpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 12:28 a.m.

TUSCALOOSA | It takes a special athlete to compete on any platform and not only focus on winning, but more importantly, to have fun.

Larry Sullivan got off to a sizzling start in the 38th Pritchett-Moore Men’s City Invitational Tennis Tournament at Indian Hills Country Club Monday afternoon.

Sullivan defeated David Pass 6-2, 6-0 in the first round of the division 3.5 singles play.

“I am very blessed to come out with a win today,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan started off the first match trying to read his opponent and understand his style of play.

“His forehand is so deceptively quick. He moved well and according to him. He has not played in a while, which was good for me,” Sullivan said.

In the second match, Sullivan did a good job in figuring out Pass’s weaknesses and finishing strong, with momentum on his side.

Sullivan won the division 3.0 singles title last year.

“The bad thing about winning last year in that division is that they move you up in the next division in the following year, which a lot of those guys are better than I am,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan expressed he was very nervous coming into the match.

“Anytime you have to play against people that you know or you even think that are better than you, there is a little thing in the back of your mind that makes you feel like you’re sort of playing competition that is indeed a lot better than you,” Sullivan said.

Aside from first day jitters, Sullivan said this tournament is a lot of fun to play in, and there are greater things that come out of it by the end of the week.

“If you win fine, but if you don’t, there are so many neat guys you can meet and make friends with,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan and Pass exchanged phone numbers at the end of their match.

Pass told Sullivan he would love to play some tennis after the tournament in their free time.

Sullivan said his strategy going into the upcoming matches is to pick up on his opponent’s weaknesses early and have luck on his side.

All in all he said the joy of the game and people playing in it is what makes the tournament even better.

“Every year the staff and tennis pros do such an awesome job putting this tournament together and the guys competing out here are great,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan is a retired police officer, but stays active in all aspects.

“Besides playing tennis, I like to mountain bike, go kayaking and run on occasions,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan also hits out in the racquet club with associates before he has to compete.

“Normally I like to go out there and play to get some early morning exercise, but today I took my dog for a walk by the racquet club, which kind of threw me out of my daily routine,” Sullivan said.

<p>TUSCALOOSA | It takes a special athlete to compete on any platform and not only focus on winning, but more importantly, to have fun.</p><p>Larry Sullivan got off to a sizzling start in the 38th Pritchett-Moore Men's City Invitational Tennis Tournament at Indian Hills Country Club Monday afternoon.</p><p>Sullivan defeated David Pass 6-2, 6-0 in the first round of the division 3.5 singles play.</p><p>“I am very blessed to come out with a win today,” Sullivan said.</p><p>Sullivan started off the first match trying to read his opponent and understand his style of play.</p><p>“His forehand is so deceptively quick. He moved well and according to him. He has not played in a while, which was good for me,” Sullivan said.</p><p>In the second match, Sullivan did a good job in figuring out Pass's weaknesses and finishing strong, with momentum on his side.</p><p>Sullivan won the division 3.0 singles title last year.</p><p>“The bad thing about winning last year in that division is that they move you up in the next division in the following year, which a lot of those guys are better than I am,” Sullivan said.</p><p>Sullivan expressed he was very nervous coming into the match.</p><p>“Anytime you have to play against people that you know or you even think that are better than you, there is a little thing in the back of your mind that makes you feel like you're sort of playing competition that is indeed a lot better than you,” Sullivan said.</p><p>Aside from first day jitters, Sullivan said this tournament is a lot of fun to play in, and there are greater things that come out of it by the end of the week.</p><p>“If you win fine, but if you don't, there are so many neat guys you can meet and make friends with,” Sullivan said.</p><p>Sullivan and Pass exchanged phone numbers at the end of their match.</p><p>Pass told Sullivan he would love to play some tennis after the tournament in their free time.</p><p>Sullivan said his strategy going into the upcoming matches is to pick up on his opponent's weaknesses early and have luck on his side.</p><p>All in all he said the joy of the game and people playing in it is what makes the tournament even better.</p><p>“Every year the staff and tennis pros do such an awesome job putting this tournament together and the guys competing out here are great,” Sullivan said.</p><p>Sullivan is a retired police officer, but stays active in all aspects.</p><p>“Besides playing tennis, I like to mountain bike, go kayaking and run on occasions,” Sullivan said.</p><p>Sullivan also hits out in the racquet club with associates before he has to compete.</p><p>“Normally I like to go out there and play to get some early morning exercise, but today I took my dog for a walk by the racquet club, which kind of threw me out of my daily routine,” Sullivan said.</p><p>For the 3.5 division, Jody Allen, Andy Pettus, Scott McClanahan, Jason Caudill, Ricky Shoup, Kermit Crew, Gary Lary and Chad Payne all received a first round bye.</p><p>Rick Thomason defeated Mark Hughes 6-2, 6-1; Fred Tanner defeated Brian Hoggle 6-0, 6-2; Dexter Montz defeated Matt Ochocki 6-3, 6-2.</p>